Snap retainer for pneumatic riveting hammers



Sept. 10, 1940- J. J SULLIVAN SNAP RETAINER FOR PNEUMATIC RIVETING HAMMERS Filed April 3. 1939 INVENTOR- J. J. SwllvaJ2/ ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES SNAP RETAINER FOR PNEUMATIC RIVETING HAMMERS James J. Sullivan, North Sacramento, Calif.

Application April 3, 1939, Serial No. 265,687

1 Claim.

This invention relates in general to riveting tools, and in particular the invention is directed to a snap retainer for a pneumatic riveting hammer.

With pneumatic riveting hammers as now generally in use, the snap is mounted with the barrel of the hammer merely by frictionally engaging the shank of the snap in the open ended barrel. Operators start the hammer and permit the vibration to work the shank of the snap part way out of the barrel before engaging the head of the snap with the rivet. The purpose of this operation is to lessen the initial shock on the rivet and which otherwise would drive the rivet from the hole and against the holding force imparted by the assistant workman on the head of the rivet. However, the operation cannot be carried out with entire success unless means is provided to limit such movement of the snap relative to the barrel.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide a retainer for connection between the snap and the hammer and arrange so that the shank may be worked out, as above described, but cannot escape from the barrel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retainer of the type described which does not interfere with the usual operation of the hammer, nor does the device increase its bulk or weight in any noticeable amount.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a foreshortened and somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of a pneumatic riveting hammer and including a snap; the retainer being connected with the snap.

Figure 2 is an end view of the retainer detached.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the retainer detached.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the numeral l indicates generally a pneumatic riveting hammer including a handle 2 at one end and a snap reoeiving barrel 3 at the other end. The barrel 3 is formed as usual with an axial bore 4 open to the end of the tool.

The snap is of common form and comprises in integral relation a rivet engaging head 5 of substantial length and constant diameter; an enlarged radial flange 6 being disposed between said head and the neck or shank l of the snap. The shank 1 frictionally engages in bore 4 of barrel 3 as shown in Fig. 1, and is worked out a certain distance, in the manner previously described, just prior to engagement of head 5 with a rivet.

To prevent escape of the snap shank 1 from 0 the bore 4 of barrel 3, I provide the following retainer:

The retainer comprises a metal band 8 of substantial width and circular in form, such band at its ends passing through an elongated eye 9 15 formed on one end of a heavy duty metal wire [0. After passing through eye 9, the ends II of band 8 are doubled back against the outer surface of the band and are spot welded thereto as at I2, and thus enclosing the sides of the eye.

The eye 9 is formed on one end of wire II] by bending in the desired shape and then welding as at l3. The wire adjacent the eye 9 is offset outwardly as at '14 and-then extends parallel to the axis of the circular band 8. The wire In extends some distance along the barrel which it parallels, as will hereinafter appear, and at its free end is formed with a hook [5.

In use the band 8 is slipped onto the head 5 of the snap and slid back into engagement with radial flange 6; the band being of such diameter as to engage the head in close frictional contact. When the band is so positioned on the head 5 of the snap and the snap is engaged with the barrel 3, wire I0 parallels such barrel but is spaced 35 therefrom.

A flexible and slightly stretchable heavy duty cord l6, such as sash cord, is connected between hook l5 on wire I 0 and the handle 2 of the riveting hammer. When the riveting hammer is operating, the stretch of the cord permits the shank of the snap to be worked out to the desired distance but not far enough to escape the barrel bore 4. Not only does the above described snap retainer function when the riveting hammer is operating, but also prevents the snap from falling out as the hammer is being transported from place to place, or manipulated prior to actual operation thereof.

From'the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device,

still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In the combination of a riveting hammer having a barrel, and a snap having a head, a shank and a radial flange between the head and shank, the shank being engaged in said barrel; a snap retainer comprising a relatively Wide flat metal band surrounding the head in close frictional engagement adjacent the radial flange, a relatively rigid wire having an elongated eye on one end thereof, the ends of the band passing through the eye and being doubled back and secured on the band adjacent said eye and so that the eye and band are rigidly connected, the wire extending rearwardly some distance and in spaced, substantially parallel relation to the barrel, and a flexible element connected between the other end of the wire and the hammer and arranged to limit for- 10 Ward movement of said Wire.

JAMES J. SULLIVAN. 

